1 in 4 Iraq vets need medical attention

[Selatius]

I knew the fighting in Iraq was intense, but I wasn't aware of how high the trauma rate is in Iraq until this report came out.

More than one in four U.S. troops have come home from the Iraq war with health problems that require medical or mental health treatment, according to the Pentagon's first detailed screening of servicemembers leaving a war zone. (Related: Troops screened as never before)

Almost 1,700 servicemembers returning from the war this year said they harbored thoughts of hurting themselves or that they would be better off dead. More than 250 said they had such thoughts "a lot." Nearly 20,000 reported nightmares or unwanted war recollections; more than 3,700 said they had concerns that they might "hurt or lose control" with someone else.

My friend remarked to me that he hopes these guys won't end up the same way many Vietnam veterans ended up after the war: Unable to readjust to civilian life, traumatized, and left suffering through life.

I wonder how many of them will end up hating the very government they fought for.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-10-18-troops-side_x.htm

47% saw someone wounded or killed, or saw a dead body.

14% had an experience that left them easily startled.

6% wanted help for stress, emotional, alcohol or family problems.

2% had thoughts of hurting someone or losing control.

1% had thoughts that they might be better off dead or could hurt themselves.

All in the name of power, control, and making more money.

[mzteris]

1. 4 in 4

need mental health assistance now.

How could you not?

[MountainLaurel]

5. It's the ones who think they don't

That I'd be most worried about. From that cohort, future McVeighs, Malvos, spousal murderers, et al. are made.

[mzteris]

7. the homeless, yup

you get the picture.

Violence only generates more violence. One way or another.

[phusion]

2. Thanks

Nice star avatar... :)

[Selatius]

8. I like yours as well. EZLN are good people. n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. How can they not end up like the Viet Nam Vets?

It's not like they are getting any support while serving or when they come home. Nice way to support the Troops! Where is my yellow ribbon? :sarcasm:

[Renegade Six]

4. 8 out of 44,000

At Darnell Army Hospital there are only 8 beds on the psyche ward. Appointments at the Troop Medical Centers average around 2 1/2 weeks. This is Ft Hood. THE LARGEST american military base. We have 44,000 troops or so. Is this really the best we can do for our soldiers? Sorry to rant (again) but this touches a nerve with me as I am one of the "1 in 4"

[Selatius]

6. I'm at a loss for words.

Your revelation about Darnell Army Hospital is pretty disheartening.

I've never seen war first-hand. I only know of it through my Vietnamese family, and their experience in that previous war makes me fairly sensitive on the issue of war, but for you it must be excruciating. I wish you the best and hope better times are ahead for you as well as for everybody involved in this war, but the end of the war seems so far away by the way things are looking, and I think many more are going to suffer before the war is finished.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi Renegade Six!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Renegade Six]

10. Thank you

I am glad I found this site. Kinda funny, I was searching for something and found myself at FreeRepublic. I realized I must have taken an unfortunate 'right' turn somewhere, but was smart enough to stay till I figured out who they hated. Which of course is DU. I would like to thank Freeper for the directions home. :toast:

[TayTay]

19. Welcome to DU!

I ant you to know that there are people out there who are trying to bring this total lack of support for 'our troops' to the public and try and get some action.

My Dad was a vet and he suffered from PTSD all his life. I cannot and will not do nothing while this government abandons 'our troops.' It is so morally and ehtically worn that I just don't have to words.

Hang there, call everyone you can think us, enlist DU as your own 'pain in the ass' squad to get help for all our people. I saw my Dad suffer so much, I'll be damned if I let it happen to another generation.

Love and peace to you, my friend. You are in my prayers.

[tahoedenver]

12. So sorry to hear that:

<[At Darnell Army Hospital there are only 8 beds on the psyche ward. Appointments at the Troop Medical Centers average around 2 1/2 weeks. This is Ft Hood. THE LARGEST american military base. We have 44,000 troops or so. Is this really the best we can do for our soldiers? Sorry to rant (again) but this touches a nerve with me as I am one of the "1 in 4".>]

It's ridiculous that our government has billions to grease the pockets of Halliburton investors but not a f**king dime for our hard working troops and their medical care. This is a crime man, seriously. I'm so sorry to hear what happened to you. I hope everything works out for you. You have my best wishes. Remember to think positive of the future. Regime change will come soon to the bastards who did this to you.

[knitter4democracy]

17. That sucks!

How can they possibly help anyone with such a small unit?

Thank you for all you've given and done for our country. Someday, hopefully soon, you'll get the treatment and the respect you deserve.

{{{Hugs}}}

[tahoedenver]

11. It's Too Damn Bad

Because most of us know what will happen to these poor guys but there's nothing we can do short of complaining to help them. These people, like those Vietnam vets, are products of their times - and their respective corrupt administrations. In both wars corporate power can be clearly seen as having a very high input with the intended goal of maximization of profit. After all, the Vice President's main stock holdings(which as a copout, are in a temporary frozen account) are in a company that is the main profiteer off of this war. Once he leaves office he will be many millions of dollars richer through his stock value. And it's also a lesser known fact that "Ladybird" Johnson owned companies which profited off of the illegal Vietnam war. A war which destroyed and displaced the lives of so many due to the bad planning of a few elitest bigots.

[Selatius]

13. Kick n/t

[adwon]

14. Suspect conclusions

Here's an interesting part of that article.

Overall, since the war began, about 28% of Iraq veterans — about 50,000 servicemembers this year alone — returned with problems ranging from lingering battle wounds to toothaches, from suicidal thoughts to strained marriages. The figure dwarfs the Pentagon's official Iraq casualty count: 1,971 U.S. troops dead and 15,220 wounded as of Tuesday.

That's a pretty broad range of ailments to list. The implication of the article is that mass amounts of veterans are suffering from PTSD or similar ailments. Somehow I don't think a strained marriage (which is common in the army) or a toothache qualifies. Without more exact numbers, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that 1/4 of veterans have some kind of problem, though it may only be a toothache. This is just sloppy journalism.

Another citation from the article:

In October 2004, a federal panel of medical experts that studied illnesses of Gulf War veterans estimated that one in seven suffer war-related health problems.

1/7 seems a more reasonable figure for all possible health problems for veterans that stem from the war.

[Lisa]

15. I guess if they want a control group ...

... of people who did NOT serve in the wars, they could canvass Bush's "base".

[adwon]

16. That made me smile :P

[tahoedenver]

18. re:

I know a guy who I go to college with who's in the Marine Corp. He was the victim of an accidental grenade injury.

Surgery and then honorary discharge. Turns out the military paid for the surgery and that's it. He's got a permanent limp courtesy of Mr. Bush and friends.